Yes, I have Bipolar 2. And yes, it is a wacky disorder. But 18 years of complaining about it and hating it hasn't changed one darn thing. So here we go, new approach...... Join me on the ride, it's bumpy but always entertaining and soon to be fantastic.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Because I told myself I would....

This morning I told myself that I wanted to write today. Since I am trying to stop breaking promises to myself, and follow through with plans/goals, however small, I am now sitting down to write.

I had a fleeting thought last night while trying to fall asleep that is the inspiration for this post. "Just how much time have I really wasted?"

Yesterday I was feeling very inspired after a fabulous day at TEDx Vancouver, but did not seem to be able to translate any of this new found mental energy into physical action. This is pretty much the story of the last ten years of my life. Periods of extreme hopeless depression, followed by wacky crazy hypomania, interspersed with time in "the middle". During these "middle ground" times I was often inspired, hopeful, or even gung-ho, but it never ever translated into action.

So this morning I woke up with the nagging question, "ok so how much time DID I really waste?"

Being the uber-nerd that I am I set out to quantify it. The numbers are both good and bad, but I think that the good outweigh the bad. Providing, that is, that I turn things around and start taking action.

So here it is:

312,974. The number of hours I have been alive as of this moment.

388,320. The number of hours I have left in my life if I die at the age of 80.

The good news is that my life is not even half over. It's not too late.

87,658. The number of hours I have been away from full time work and fighting this illness.

The bad news is that that is a LOT of seemingly wasted hours as I am not much better off.

56,978. The number of hours, up until this posting, since my brother-in-law and then Drs pulled me back from the brink after my near fatal suicide attempt. I call these, and any after, my bonus hours as it really is miraculous that I am even here. And yet I continue to waste bonus hour after bonus hour.

The good news is that I was given these bonus hours. Something in the universe worked to keep me here and give me another chance. More good news is that this number will only continue to grow.

Alright, so now what?

Most people would look at these numbers and be motivated to get moving, to make a decision, to make a start. I spent all day in my apartment suffering from what I have aptly heard called "decision paralysis", and self doubt.

I know I need to move. Somewhere. Anywhere. Unfortunately, I do not trust myself to choose the right direction or path. Most would argue that any path would be better than standing in one spot, and they would be correct. However, my issues are so ingrained that I am still unable to choose any of the 50 paths flying around in my brain. I am unable to take even one small step.

"Every journey, no matter how long, begins with a single step."

"You don't have to see the entire staircase, you just have to see the first step."

I know these things. I believe these things. And yet it still feels as if I am standing here wearing cement boots.

Any hours breathing are not wasted. Even depression is better than not breathing. That should be your salvation. Just breathe. There will always be lows. Enjoy the highs however sporadic they are or how small they may be. They will always come. Just highlite them. Record them. Remember them. Something to hold onto during the lows. Maybe you will start to see how many good things there are. First steps to happiness. The key to life. Breathing leads to happiness.

That's true. Just sometimes hard to see it. Maybe I need to write a post about all the things I'm glad I didn't miss out on in the last 6 1/2 years. Daughters' accomplishments, weddings, births, etc........